National AAM Forum to Focus on Scaling Aircraft Into Operations
The National Advanced Air Mobility Center of Excellence (NAAMCE) will host the fifth annual National Advanced Air Mobility Industry Forum (NAAMIF) on October 15 in Springfield, Ohio, with this year’s event focused on the industry’s transition from aircraft demonstrations and flight testing towards production and routine operations.
The one-day forum will bring together aircraft manufacturers, federal regulators, defence representatives, investors and infrastructure providers to discuss the requirements for scaling advanced air mobility (AAM) programmes.
Electra CEO Marc Allen will deliver the keynote address. The agenda will also include a defence-focused discussion involving representatives from BETA Technologies, Electra and SMG Consulting, alongside a panel examining workforce, manufacturing, supply chain and infrastructure requirements.
Three workshop themes will address challenges associated with scaling AAM. “Beyond the Prototype” will focus on infrastructure and operational requirements, while “The Digital Enterprise” will examine digital engineering, data and certification practices. “From Novelty to Normal” will address community engagement and public acceptance. Findings from the workshops will be presented to the wider forum.
Participants are expected from organisations including BETA Technologies, Joby Aviation, Eve Air Mobility, the Federal Aviation Administration and Civil Air Patrol.
NAAMCE is focusing event on the practical challenges of moving aircraft programmes beyond prototypes. The centre itself provides access to the US National Airspace System at altitudes of up to 18,000 feet and operates a 225-square-mile beyond-visual-line-of-sight (BVLOS) range through its SkyVision airspace-awareness system. It also includes 30,000 square feet of laboratory, research and collaboration space, as well as 25,000 square feet of hangar space.
